deeprooted sedgeCyperus entrerianus Boeckl.

Overview

Appearance

Cyperus entrerianus is a wetland sedge that invades disturbed areas throughout the southeastern United States. It is a robust, up to 40 in. (1.02 m) tall, grass-like plant with deeply set, thick rhizomes and dark purple to black leaf bases.

Foliage

The leaves are basal, glossy, and flat or V-shaped. One of the identifying characteristics are the dark purple to black leaf bases.

Flowers

The terminal inflorescence has 5-11 elongate rays ending in densely clustered, globose, greenish-white spikelets. The stem is distinctly three sided.

Fruit

Fruits are brown achenes. Large plants can produce a million viable seeds a year. It also reproduces vegetatively through fragmentation and budding of rhizomes.

Ecological Threat

Cyperus entrerianus can invade wet undisturbed natural habitats as well as disturbed areas such as highway ditches and field margins. It can form monocultures, displacing native vegetation in habitats it invades. Construction, agricultural activities, and roadside mowing are spreading the seeds and dispersing this plant to new areas. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil types from sand to clay. Cyperus entrerianus is native to South America and was accidentally introduced into the United States around 1990. It invades disturbed areas through-out the southeastern United States.